September 16, 2026 — Montecito Planning Commission

Meeting Summary

Present: Miller, Kearns, Kupiec, Rockenbach, DiLorenzo

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.

The Commission discussed the nomination of officers for the Chair, First Vice-Chair, and Second Vice-Chair positions.
Motions were made and seconded to nominate Commissioner Kearns as First Vice-Chair and Commissioner Rockenbach as Second Vice-Chair.
The Commission voted to approve the appointment of the nominated officers.

The Commission considered a six-year time extension request for track map case number 20TRM1, moving the deadline to September 15, 2032.
Staff confirmed the extension is permitted under the State Subdivision Map Act, and the item was moved to the standard agenda for questions.
Commissioners inquired about standard time frames for such extensions before voting to approve the request.

Staff presented a lot line adjustment transferring 0.61 acres from Parcel 1 to Parcel 2, noting the project is CEQA-exempt and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioners clarified that the adjustment provides legal ingress/egress for Parcel 1 without requiring a recorded easement across Parcel 2.
Staff confirmed that the resulting parcel sizes do not change density allowances or subdivision potential under the 40-acre minimum requirement.
The Commission voted to approve the staff findings and the lot line adjustment.

Staff presented upcoming hearing dates, including workshops and hearings on ministerial streamlining amendments in late September and early October.
Staff requested the cancellation of the October 21 hearing because the County Planning Commission will address the Administrative Streamlining Amendment package at that time.
The Commission voted to cancel the October 21 meeting, with the next scheduled hearing set for November 18.

The Commission discussed the election of the Chair, First Vice-Chair, and Second Vice-Chair. A motion was made to nominate Commissioner Kearns as First Vice-Chair, which was seconded. A separate motion was made to nominate Commissioner Rockenbach as Second Vice-Chair, which was also seconded. The Commission voted on the nominations. The motion to appoint the officers passed.

The Commission reviewed the minutes from the May 20 meeting. A motion was made to approve the minutes as written, which was seconded. The Commission voted on the motion. The motion to approve the minutes passed.

The Commission considered a request from property owner Scott L. Whitman for a six-year time extension for track map case number 20TRM1, extending the deadline from September 15, 2026, to September 15, 2032. Staff confirmed that a six-year extension is permitted under the State Subdivision Map Act. The item was initially on the consent agenda but was moved to the standard agenda to allow for questions. Commissioners inquired about the standard time frames for such extensions. A motion was made to approve the time extension, which was seconded. The Commission voted on the motion. The motion to approve the time extension passed.

The Commission considered a request from the Tilson Family Trust for a lot line adjustment between two parcels at 928 and 960 Park Lane West. Staff presented the project, noting that the adjustment transfers 0.61 acres of gardens and landscaping from Parcel 1 (53.89 acres) to Parcel 2 (4.41 acres), resulting in Parcel 1 becoming 53.28 acres and Parcel 2 becoming 5.02 acres. Staff stated that no new development is proposed, the project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and County Code, and it is exempt from CEQA under Section 15183.
Commissioners asked questions regarding the map boundaries, specifically clarifying that a sliver of land previously traversed by an easement would become part of Parcel 1, thereby providing legal ingress/egress without requiring a recorded easement across Parcel 2. Commissioners also inquired about the significance of Parcel 2 crossing the five-acre threshold; staff clarified that the minimum parcel size requirement is 40 acres, so the increase to 5.02 acres does not change density allowances or subdivision potential.
A motion was made to approve the staff findings and the lot line adjustment, which was seconded. The Commission voted on the motion. The motion to approve the lot line adjustment passed.

Staff presented the projection report for upcoming hearings. The schedule includes a workshop on ministerial streamlining amendments on September 30, a hearing on the same ordinance on October 7, and a potential continuation hearing on October 14. Staff requested a motion to cancel the October 21 hearing, as the County Planning Commission will take up the Administrative Streamlining Amendment package at that time to receive recommendations from the Montecito Planning Commission for coastal zone areas. The next Montecito Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for November 18, with items including a lot line adjustment, an as-built addition, and housing ordinance amendments. Staff also noted a tentative plan to hold an annual holiday luncheon with the County Planning Commission on December 16.
A motion was made to cancel the October 21 meeting, which was seconded. The Commission voted on the motion. The motion to cancel the October 21 meeting passed.

The Commission opened the floor for public comment on items not on the agenda. No members of the public spoke. The public comment period was closed.